Until December 5
Brushworks
An exhibition of paintings in watercolour and other media at the Banca Giuratale, Independence Square, Victoria, Gozo.

December 4 - 24
Eight eighteen
A group of eighteen local artists will participate in this inaugural event of the Malta Contemporary Art venue at 8, Off Racecourse Street, Marsa. Artists include Ruth Bianco, Vince Briffa, Austin Camilleri, Savio Deguara, Patrick Fenech, Anton Grech, Mark Mangion, Pierre Portelli, Raphael Vella, Elisa Von Brockdorff, Mark Anthony Lughermo, George Mario Attard, Adrian Scicluna, Kirstina Borg, Anabel Cordina, Fabrizio Ellul, Karen Caruana and Emanuel Bonnici. The opening on December 4 will start at 19:30. There will be two exhibition talks held during the course of the exhibition: one on the Start Forum on December 6 at 19:00 and one by Raphael Vella on December 13 also at 19:00. The exhibition will be open between 16:00 and 20:00 from Tuesday to Friday and 11:00 to 18:00 on weekends. www.maltacontemporaryart.com

Until December 7
A Diary of Obsessions
An exhibition of 22 works by John Busuttil Leaver at the Main Hall of St James Cavalier, showcasing work painted over the course of three to ten years, thus displaying an evolving aesthetic.

Until December 8
Out of the fire
Seven local female ceramic artists have brought together their work in a collective exhibition at Heritage Malta, Old University Buildings, Merchant Street, Valletta.
The group – Sue Mifsud, Julie Apap, Zell Osborne, Barbara Attard Pettett, Deborah Marmara, Talia Maggi and Rosella Schembri - will be exhibiting an extensive range of ceramic artwork using many of the different techniques and firing methods that this art form allows. Open from Monday to Friday between 08:30 and 16:30. Further information: www.clayartmalta.com

December 6
Apparat & VJ Transforma
Error404 visuals present experimental German DJ at Liquid! Club, San Gwann from 22:00. Joined by local artists Junior B, Auralbots and A-Call. Tickets are at €18 (more at the door). Available from Exit, White Arrow, Fact and Fused. Ticket info: 99203777, 99803587.

December 12
Norm Rejection and Shades of Chaos
Metal bands Norm Rejection and Shades of Chaos will be playing live at Remedy Rock Bar, Paceville from 21:00. Entrance is at €5.

December 13
Mike Huckaby
DJ Mike Huckaby (Detroit) will be joined by local DJs Owen Jay, Ssoker and Giulivo at The Fortress, Xemxija. Tickets are at €10 and are limited to 150. Contact 99290626. Sponsored by the US Embassy. www.myspace.com/mikehuckaby, www.dancemusicmalta.com
PERFORMING ARTS

December 5 - 7
Blackbird
Masquerade presents David Harrower’s Olivier Award-winning play at St James Cavalier. All performances start at 20:00 and tickets are at €15. Directed by Anthony Bezzina and featuring Manuel Cauchi as Ray and Elektra Anastasi as Una. To book contact 2122 3200 or email boxoffice@sjcav.org.For more info, call Masquerade on 79793737 or visit www.masquerademalta.com

January 2 - 4
The Remarkable Voyage of Sinbad - The Tailor
The MADC Christmas Panto will be held at the MFCC Ta’ Qali for the very first time. Directed by Fredrick Testa. Ticket prices range from €10 to €17. Book from MADC ticket hotline: 79796232 or www.madc.biz

January 2 - 11
Jack and the Beanstalk
Masquerade will be presenting this Christmas pantomime at the Manoel Theatre at 19:30 on Mondays to Fridays and 15:00 and 20:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Directed by Anthony Bezzina with music by Kevin Abela. Bookings: 21246389, bookings@teatrumanoel.com.mt.

December 6
Lampa Stampa Panto
Panto by Grupp Zghazagh Gudja, written by Cyprian Dalli and directed by Stefan Caruana. Tickets can be booked either from the hall itself or on ticket hotline 79206056. www.lampastampa.webs.com

December 13 - 14
Kneeplays Festival of Youth Theatre
Kneeplays Youth Theatre, a company formed earlier this year to help young people to develop and maximize their personal and creative potential through the creation of high quality theatre performances will debut at St James Cavalier with six short plays.
Nanette Brimmer, Toni Attard and Michael Fenech are joined by the young directors Erin Stewart Tanti, Barrie Stott and Franco Rizzo, to present a selection of plays chosen to appeal to all audiences. The six plays are: ‘Who’s Breaking’ by Philip Osment, ‘The Moonlight Marionettes’ by Andy Evans, ‘The Room Next Door’ by Erin Stewart Tanti, ‘Sure Thing & English Made Simple’ by David Ives. Kneeplays will also be producing a children’s play in Maltese, ‘Nanzi’ by Michael Fenech, based on African Folk tales. All evening performances start at 19:30, whilst the performances for Nanzi start at 16:00. Tickets for evening performances are at €10. Matinee showings of ‘Nanzi’ are at €5 for adults, €2 for children and €10 for a family ticket (two adults, two children). More information: www.kneeplaysyouththeatre.org.mt or send to info@kneeplaysyouththeatre.org.mt.

January 10, 11
Swan Lake on Ice
Three thousand kilograms of ice will transform the stage at The Mediterranean Conference Centre into a grand and spectacular ice rink, for the first ever local performance of the world’s famous ‘Swan Lake on Ice’. Thirty five award winning Russian ice-ballet dancers from the The St Petersburg State Ballet (Russia) will perform this timeless classic ‘on ice’ for the very first time here in Malta. For ticket reservations, contact Mediterranean Conference Centre on MCC Booking Office - 255 95 751 / bookings@mcc.com.mt

FILM NIGHTS

December 10, 17
Paris in cinema
Themed film nights held at the Alliance Française at 108 St Thomas Street, Floriana, starting with Les Parisiens on Wednesday December 3 and followed by Paris, je t’aime and Paris. All films start at 18:30 and entrance is free.